Can opener



1965 L. M. HARVEY ETAL 3,221,924

CAN OPENER Filed Dec. 11, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FAA/=4 11/ 7/; TON

IN V EN TORS.

2 far-774351 AGENT 7, 1965 M. HARVEY ETAL 3,

CAN OPENER Filed Dec. 11, 1964 4 Sheets-$heet 2 FIG. 6.

IN VENTO R5. B y ZZ-w M 477d arpgy Dec. 1965 L. M. HARVEY ETAL 3,221,924

CAN OPENER Filed Dec. 11, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 LEO M #ARVEY RALPH h/.flare/v IN VENTORS.

Dec. 7, 1965 Filed Dec. 11, 1964 L. M. HARVEY ETAL CAN OPENER 4Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG-1f- A Her-n95 United States Patent 3,221,924 (IANQPENER Leo M. Harvey, Los Angeles, and Ralph W. Hiiton, Pains VerdesEstates, Calif assignors to Harvey Aiuminurn (Incorporated), Torrance,Cali, a corporation of Caiifornia Filed Dec. 11, 1964, Ser. No. 417,56714 Claims. (61. 22n-s4 This invention relates to containers commonlyreferred to as cans and is particularly concerned with those whichutilize prescored areas designed to form pouring and/ or vent openingswhen said areas are removed. Specifically, this invention is concernedwith self-opening cans wherein the can opener is integrally incorporatedin the wall of the can, it being a general object to provide a manuallyoperable means for opening such a can with extreme facility togetherwith safety.

Ordinary self-opening cans of the type under consideration are a hazardand are the subject of complaint from those persons who have brokentheir fingernails, or who have experienced difiiculty in initiating theopening operation, and who have cut themselves in one way or anotherwith opening such cans. Reference is made to prescored self-opening canswherein a rigid lever is lifted, usually twisted, in order to tear aprescored area from the top of the can. Generally, it is necessary for aperson to wedge his fingernail beneath a tab and then to lift the samewith the exertion of considerable force, to the end that it is notuncommon for a person to experience diificulty, especially with canscontaining pressurized contents which require substantially heavy and/orstiff container walls, A further problem for consideration is sharpnessof any and all parts and edges involved, and with the shape of saidparts and edges, all of which affects safety.

In addition to the foregoing generalities the prior art can openingdevices of this type require pulling action on the part of the personoperating the same, and this results in tearing and/or ripping of theprescored area from the can. In other words, the usual tab might aid ininitiating the removal of the prescored area but after said initiationthe usual tab affords no mechanical assistance except in providing agrip. In order to accomplish tearing action, the usual tab is diagonallyrelated to the strip of metal that is to be removed and it is thisrelationship that affords twisting action which is necessary whenpulling out the prescored area by means of brute force. The said pullingaction can be dangerous since it is not uncommon for the prescored areato be larger than the tab, and since there is a tendency for a personsfingers to slip from the tab, and because a better grip is often gainedby a person encroaching his fingers onto the already torn portions ofthe area being removed. Obviously, any slippage of the fingers on thetorn portions is likely to result in cuts from the sharp edges.

An object of this invention is to provide a can opener that isparticularly adapted to the merchandizing of beverages and whereinmechanical advantage is realized throughout the opening operations andthereby eliminating the necessity of applying primitive pulling force inthe removal of the predetermined areas.

An object of this invention is to provide a self-opening can withpredetermined areas that are sequentially removable in order toestablish one a pouring opening and one a vent opening.

Another object of this invention is to provide prelocated and removablevent and pouring openings in a can of the type under consideration thatare shaped so as to be removed with the application of substantiallyuniform pressures and so as to eliminate sharp corners.

It is an object of this invention to provide a can opener in the form ofa single element or part and which is operable to separately andsequentially remove predetermined areas from the can, and in eachinstance with mechanical advantage.

it is another object of this invention to provide a can opener of thecharacter thus far described and which advantageously employs oneelement for dual purposes, in that said element is first employed toremove one riveted area followed by its second employment in the removalof a prescored area. The removal of the two predetermined areas areindependent of each other although the removal of the second areanecessarily follows the removal of the first area. As is the caseillustrated herein, it is most practical to first remove the smallerriveted vent area followed by removal of the larger prescored pouringarea.

it is still another object of this invention to provide a can opener ofthe character referred to wherein a single element is employed andwherein said single element is advantageously provided with sectionshaving limited movement relative to each other. In carrying out thisinvention the said single element utilizes the principles of levers,there being one section of the element effective to remove one rivetedarea (the vent area) and there being another section useable with thefirst mentioned section effective to remove the prescored area (thepouring area). The said first mentioned one section stops relative tothe said second mentioned other section, whereby the total of the twosections is effective to establish a single lever, the first mentionedone section affording the one and only necessary grip.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a can openerwherein there are two sections, each operable to open a predeterminedarea respectively, and wherein the two sections are linked together insuch a manner that they normally lie flat against each other and againstthe wall of the can, that they function independently to sequentiallyremove the said predetermined areas from the can, that they are linkedin such a manner that the first operated section overlies the other andis engageable as a grip and affords the grip or handle that operates thesecond underlying section, and that remains connected and intact withthe removed areas.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of the typicalpreferred forms and applications thereof, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a typical can with the opener, in itsfirst and preferred form, incorporated thereon. FIG. 2 is an enlargedplan view of the can and its opener as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged perspective views showing the sequentialoperations of the opener shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3a is an enlargedfragmentary view of the opener parts as they occur in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are views similar to FIG. 2, showing second, third andfourth forms of the opener.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are enlarged detailed sectional views taken asindicated by lines 9-9 on FIG. 2, 1010 on FIG. 6, 1111 on FIG. 7, and12-12 on FIG. 8.

FIGS. 9a, 100, 11a and 12a are detailed sections related to FIGS. 9, 10,11 and 12, respectively.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are diagrammatic sections illustrating the processutilized in the formation of the fastener employed in securing theopener to the can.

Cans of the type under consideration are intended to hold liquid or maltbeverages and are made of material thick enough and stiff enough towithstand any normal internal gas pressures that may be caused bysterilization or by heating or by shaking of the cans. Because of thedesign of existing can handling equipment, it is necessary to avoidprojections on the cans, although it is permissible to have flat partssuperimposed over certain areas of the cans. For example, a flat partcan lie adjacent the top or bottom of the can, recessed within theconfines of the can rim or head.

Self-opening cans of the prior art utilize the recessed top in which tocarry an opening lever that is manipulated to tear or break out aprescored pouring and vent area. Again, and with the present invention,it is this recessed top which is preferred to be employed for locatingthe opener hereinafter described. However, this preferred location isnot to be implied as a limitation, since the novel means disclosedherein can be advantageously applied to the various surfaces of a can.

The invention is applicable generally to a container C which is of thetype commonly referred to as a can. A typical can is illustrated whereinthere is a cylindrical body closed by disc-shaped bottom and topclosures 11 and 12. The bottom 11 is attached to the body 10 at a chine13 while the top 12 is joined to the body 10 by a double seam 14. Inpractice, the top 12 is applied and the seam 14 formed after the can isfilled, and it is usual that the top 12 is recessed within the seam 14so formed. Essentially the can C is a shell of relatively thin material,preferably metallic.

In accordance with the invention we provide a pair of openings P and Vwhich are sequentially established at predetermined areas respectively.In FIGS. 1 to 6, 9 and 9a, we have illustrated the first and preferredform wherein there is a pouring opening P of generous capacity and avent opening V of restricted capacity, the invention being characterizedby the shape and size of said openings P and V and by the single openerO which is related to the two said predetermined areas to open themconsecutively and independently. The openings P and V, are establishedin or at the top 12 and are spaced apart, preferably diametricallyacross the center of the can top. The said predetermined areas vary inshape in order to best serve the purpose for which they are intended,and although it is advantageous to provide a rather large pouring areaor opening P it is also advantageous to provide a substantially smallprescored area 20 for the initiation of the shearing action necessaryfor its removal. Also, as above stated, it is advantageous to have arather small vent opening V. Therefore, one of the features of thisinvention is the provision of a unique and small diameter fastener Fthat secures the opener O to the two prescored areas individually. Asshown, the pouring opening P or area 20 is essentially a rounded openingor area and in cans 2% inch diameter is an opening or area of inchdiameter. Thus, the pouring opening P or area 20 features the peripheralenlargement 20' that is described to a rather small diameter, a diameterto receive the fastener F. It is preferred that the enlargement 20' andrivet area be of like or identical diameter, for instance .150 inchdiameter. In practice, the top 12 is approximately .015 inch thicknessin which case it has been found to be practical to form a fastener Fwith an outside diameter of .093 inch, and which has a head diameter of.10 inch. Thus, the prescored area 20' is but slightly larger than thefastener F and is defined by a line of scoring 21 applied as byindenting the top 12 to a substantial depth so as to weaken the materialof the top. It will be apparent that the depression of line 21 isentirely on radius lines or curves with an absence of sharp corners.

The opener O as shown in FIGS. l-6, 9 and 9a comprises a sectional bodywith a section or lever 36 secured to the can top 12 by a fastener F andwith a section or lever 37 secured to the prescored area 20-20 by afastener F. In accordance with the invention the body 35 is reinforcedso as to be rigid and so that the sections 36 and 37 are operable aslevers. However, the two sections 36 and 37 are coupled by hinge means38 in order that the levers are independently operable as bestillustrated in FIG. 9. The single body 35 is fiat and elongate, and itis secured in flat engagement on the top 12 and recessed below the rimor seam 14 of the can. The body 35 is preferably a metal part, forexample of aluminum, approximately two inches in length and /2 inchwidth, made of sheet of about .020 inch thickness. It is significantthat the body 35 is a one piece construction that is formed in astraight, flat and elongate configuration, In order for the body 35 tobe operable for the several functions of the opener O, the body is madeof a bendable material and in practice can be advantageously made ofrelatively soft aluminum. Therefore, in order for the sections 36 and 37to operate as levers the body 35 is reinforced as by ribs 39 raisedalong each opposite side margin of the body. As shown, the ribs 39 areround beads that are straight and which are effective in establishingbeams coextensive with each side of the body 35.

Body section or lever 36 is the manually engaged part of the opener Oand is a gently rounded part that is adapted to be conveniently grippedbeneath the fingers. The body section to be gripped and used as a levermust be substantially rigid and in addition to the marginal ribs, abovedescribed, it has a transverse continuation of said ribs that extendsacross the active end 34, said end 34 being formed on a radius mergingtangentially with the ribs 39. Thus, the arcuate continuation of ribs 39through the end 34 reinforces the body 35 so as to establish a rigidlever 36.

Body section or lever 37 is coupled to the above described body sectionor lever 36 and is adapted to be operated through the manual movement ofthe lever 36. The body section or lever 37 is a straight and rigid partterminating in a straight transverse butt end 33. The ribs 39 continuouswith the body 35 reinforce this section or lever 37 thereof, and so thatit is a rigid lever.

The opener O is characterized by the two levers 36 and 37 which areindependently operable in their respective functions of opening theriveted areas of the can and to this end the hinge means 38 is providedin order to connect the levers 36 and 37 movably relative to each other.The hinge means 38 can vary and in the first and preferred form employsto advantage the bendable property of the metal from which the opener ismade, for example aluminum, and involves weakening of the ribs 39. Thesaid weakening can be accomplished in various ways and can be anydepression, crease or interruption effective to disrupt the continuityof the ribs 39. In the form under consideration the weakening comprisesan interruption in the crown of each rib there being a slit 40 disposedalong a transverse line a extending across the body 35. In accordancewith the invention the slit 40 involves the removal of material from thecrowned portion of the rib, without removal of material from the flatportion of the body 35 extending between the ribs, and further the slit40 is made of predetermined dimension in order to control the hingedmovement between the two levers 36 and 37. Therefore, the inventionadvantageously employs the slit 40 to establish the hinge lines a and tolimit the hinged movement of lever 36 relative to lever 37, limitingsaid movement as shown in FIG. 3a when the side walls of said slit closetoegther.

The body sections or levers 36 and 37 are each secured to the top of thecan and in each instance by the fastener F of minimized diameter. Inaccordance with the invention the fastener F is adapted to be shearedfrom the top 12, the fastener F being a rivet type of fastener extrudedfrom the surrounding material of the can top 12. The fastener F is alsoeflicient in its securement capabilities, and a small diameter hole 41is provided (two places) in the body 35, one for removal andestablishment of vent opening V and one for removal of the prescoredarea 2020'; the fastener F comprising an upstanding studshapedprojection that is extruded from the thickness of the material formingthe top 12. The top 12 is confined (FIG. 13) between the flat faces of apair of opposed pressure plates 42 and 43, to prevent lateral flow ofmaterial from the rivet area, during which a mandrel 44 and an extrusionpunch 45 work the rivet area of top 12 from the underside and extrudetherefrom a closed top tubular rivet R into a sized opening 46 in theupper pressure plate 42. The sized opening 46 in the upper pressureplate is to the size of the external diameter of the rivet R, while thesaid mandrel 44 is to the size of the internal diameter of the rivet R.The said mandrel 44 is moved (FIG. 14) to occur at the said sizedopening in the upper pressure plate, thereby establishing an extrusionorifice and whereupon the said extrusion punch 45 moves (FIG. 15) intopressured engagement with the underside of the top 12 immediatelysurrounding the mandrel 44 and sized opening 46. The outside diameter ofpunch 45 establishes the radial extent of the rivet area, the topengaging face of the punch 45 being characterized by a dished orconcaved configuration wherein the peripheral portion 45 is axiallyforward of the apertured portion 45". As shown, the portions 45 and 45"are well rounded convexly and concavely respectively, into order to forma dimple at the underside of the top 12. As a result, material isdisplaced by the extrusion punch 45 and a small diameter and cylindricalrivet R is projected by means of extrusion from the top 12 to bereceived in the hole 41. Thus, the dimple is pressed into the top 12,beneath the extrusion to be formed, with a concavely reduced peripheralportion and with a convexly reduced opening to the interior diameter ofthe rivet that is worked from the sheet material, said dimpleestablishing an area of weakening at and/or immediately surrounding thediameter of the rivet per se. It is then a simple matter to head therivet according to usual procedure applying force axially to flatten thehead 47 as shown.

With the opener O fastened flat against the top 12 as shown in FIGS. 1,2 and 9, means is provided in the form of a recess 32 depressed into thetop 12 and underlying the active end 34 of the lever 36 since the opener0 extends across the can the recess 32 will occur at one side of the top12 with the prelocated vent rivet R occurring toward the center of thecan top. For example, the vent rivet R is located at or near the centerof top 12 with the hinge line a displaced at or away from the side ofthe rivet R opposite the active end 34 of the lever 36. The hinge line acan be coincidental with the center of the rivet R, or it can be awayfrom the side of the rivet as shown and in which case a second classlever 36 is established with the resistance at vent rivet R between theactive power application end 34 and fulcrum at hinge line a. As bestillustrated in FIG. 3 (also FIG. the hinge line a can bear against thetop 12 immediate to the rivet R, so that lifting force applied to end 34causes the lever 36 to simultaneously lift, tip and pry the rivet R fromthe surrounding top 12. However, in some instances the mode ofapplication and/ or flexibility in the top 12 permits tipping and pryingof the rivet R without the lever fulcrum necessarily touching the top12. In the event that flexibility permits bulging or crowning of thearea immediately surrounding the dimpled area of the rivet prior to thecommencement of tipping or revolvement of the rivet area, then the rivetarea is simply revolved by the lever action, and which ultimatelyresults in shearing at or along the side thereof nearest the active end34 of the lever, after which shearing action rapidly progressescompletely around the rivet R while prying is continued. As a result,there are two theories of operation; one wherein the fulcrum engages top12 in which case the lever 36 relies upon the hinge line a for itsfulcrum; and one wherein the fulcrum does not necessarily touch the top12 in which case the lever 36 directly revolves the rivet areaimmediately surrounding the rivet R. By placing the hinge line a justbeyond the periphery of the dimple as indicated, complete removal of thetop 12 at and immediately surrounding the rivet R is assured undereither of the two specified theories of operation.

The prescored area 20 is placed at or near the side of the can in astraight line diametrically opposite the active end 34 of the opener O,and with the area enlargement 20' located in said straight line andtoward the said active end of the lever 36. Having operated the lever 36as above described, the rivet R is displaced from the top 12 entirely byshearing action with the mechanical advantages afforded by the lever 36,and the lever 36 is moved until it is stopped by the limit of the hingemember 38 whereupon the lever 36 becomes inactive as such and isconverted into a body section 36 or extension of lever 37. Continuedlifting force applied to the body section 36, which now becomes a handleor grip, simultaneously tips and pries the prescored area 2040 from thesurrounding top 12. Again, flexibility in the top 12 permitsconsiderable tipping of the prescored area 20-20 prior to thecommencement of shearing along the side of area 20' nearest the activeend 34 of the lever extension or section 36, after which shearing actionalong the line of scoring 21 rapidly progresses at least midway aroundthe prescored area 26. A feature of the present invention is thetermination of butt end 33 within the confines of the prescored area 20,about midway thereof and to the end that the lever 37 is a second classlever with resistance at fastener F between the power at end 34 andfulcrum at butt end 33. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the butt end 33bears against the mid-portion of prescored area 20 within the confinesof scoring 21 and so that lifting force applied to the end 34 causessimultaneous tipping and prying of the prescored area 2640. As aconsequence, the smaller and slightly enlarged area 20' is first toshear upwardly, and with ease due to the considerable length of theextended lever 37.

In accordance with the invention the entire lever 37 (with section 36)forms a substantial sized lever for the continuation of shearing andfinal pulling away of the prescored area 2tl20. The shape of prescoredarea 20 is instrumental in facilitating its removal by shearing action,said area being round and being joined to a lever 37 of substantiallength. As a result, a well rounded pouring opening P is established atone side of the can C and a minimum sized vent opening V is establishedat the center or to the opposite side of the can C.

A second form of opener is shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 10a and wherein thebody 35' involves-a modified hinge means 38. In this form the two bodysections or levers 36' and 37' are independent in their functions, oneto shear out the vent rivet R and one to shear out the prescored area2040'. In this form the slit 40 does not necessarily limit the movementof lever 36' relative to lever 37' and simply establishes the hinge linea by permitting the body 35' to bend. However, the hinge means 38includes features facilitating shearing out of the vent rivet R, and itinvolves removal of the body 35' between the side ribs 39 and theretention of a tongue 50 therebetween to lift the vent rivet R. The saidvent rivet R is fastened to tongue as above described, said tongueprojecting integrally from the lever 37 and having laterally projectingears 51 integrally joined to the ribs 39 at opposite sides of the rivet.As shown, the tongue 50 determines the width of lever 37' which isnarrower than the lever 36'. When lifting force is applied to the lever36 the second class lever action is as above described while the ears 51are easily twisted and thereby permit a substantially direct upward pullto shear the vent rivet R from its position in the top 12.

A third form of opener is shown in FIGS. 7, 11 and 11a and wherein thebody 35 involves another modified hinge means 38". In this form the twobody sections or levers 36" and 37 are independently operable, one toshear out the vent rivet R and one to shear out the prescored area20-23. In this form the levers 36 and 37" are folded one over the otherat the hinge line a, the rib portions 39" continuing through a bend 52at each side 7 of the body 35", and with the removal of the body betweenthe side ribs and with the provision of a tongue 50' the same as tongue50 above described. A feature of this form is the location of hinge linea at the bends 52 and the provision of a second hinge line b. The twohinge lines a and b occur at opposite sides of the vent rivet R so thatlifting of the lever 36" results in a tipping and prying action much thesame as in the first form. Bending on the line b is accomplished bylocking the ribs 39" of lever 36" to flexible and bendable marginscontinuing from the ribs of lever 37 (see dotted lines in FIGS. 11 and11a). Ears 51 project laterally from said marginal continuations oflever 37" and lock over the ribs 39" of lever 36" (see FIG. 11a). Thedirection of tipping is reversed, compared with the first two formsdescribed, and the bent up lever 36" forms a handle and not anextension. However, this form provides for the wide separation of thepredetermined areas 20 and 30.

A fourth form of opener is shown in FIGS. 8, l2 and 12a and whereinthere are two separate bodies or levers 136 and 137, each independentlymovable as a lever to lift out the vent rivet R and the prescored area20-20 respectively. In the form of invention now under consideration thepredetermined areas can be most widely separated, the lever 136 beingswivelly coupled to the lever 137, and one to overlie the othersubstantially the same as described in the preceding form. Again, atongue 50" projects from the lever 137 and in this instance has anintermediate portion joggled so as to be spaced from and parallel to thetop 12 of the can. Further, in this instance the lever 136 isstirrup-shaped and comprises a rigid bar 53 that extends between theribs 139 and beneath the joggled portion of the tongue, the bar 53having two parallel and transverse edges 54 and 55. The edge 54 formsthe fulcrum at line a while the edge 55 forms the lift beneath bend lineb that occurs in lever 137. From the foregoing it will be apparent howthe normally flat and superimposed levers 136 and 137 are operated, eachas a second class lever, first to operate the lever 136 to shear out thevent rivet R and second to operate the lever 137 to shear out theprescored area 20-20. As shown, in this last form, the area 20-20 isessentially triangular, having a curved side at the rim or bead of thetop 12 and two straight sides extending to the usual area 20'. Thejoinders of the sides of this last described prescored area are wellrounded, as shown.

Operation of any one of the forms of can opener hereinabove described isa simple matter, in each case accompanied by mechanical assistancethroughout the operation and with safety. It is significant that in eachinstance the single unit of structure is incorporated in the wall of thecan, and is operable at one time and in sequence to open spaced areas inthe can. It is normal for these openings to be in the can top 12, one arather large pouring opening P and one a rather small vent opening V.Pulling and tearing action is avoided by the provision of sequentiallyoperable levers and the amount of force necessary to afi'ect shearing ofsaid predetermined areas is materially reduced by the provision of theunique and small diameter fasteners F in the form of extruded rivets R.In the first form the lever 36 has stopped engagement with respect tothe lever 37 and thereby establishes an extension that lengthens thelever 37; and this limited movement at the hinge 38 also preventsoverbending of the body 35 thereby preventing fatigue in the metalforming the same. In each form the prescored area commences to shear ata portion of reduced size, and the enlarged prescored area 20 is round(or rounded) with the absence of sharp corners. Finally, in each formthe lever used in removal of the vent rivet R is effective throughoutthe removal action, and the lever used in removal of thepouring-prescored area is substantially elongated, and in the first formis extended, and is thereby especially effective by virtue of its lengthand size as an instrument to cause final shearing and removal of thesaid prescored area.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of ourinvention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the artand fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) a can having an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined weakenedpouring and vent areas thereon;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising a body of hingedlycoupled sections extending over and fastened to each of saidpredetermined areas respectively, with a lever section fastened to thepouring area and extending to the said vent area, and with a leversection continuing from the first mentioned lever section and fastenedto the vent area and extended laterally therefrom and adapted to belifted for operating the opener to sequentially shear from the wall thevent area and then lift the first mentioned lever to shear from the wallthe pouring area.

2. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) a can having an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined weakenedpouring and vent areas thereon, the pouring area being defined by asubstantially continuous prescored line;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising a sectional bodyextending over and fastened to each of said predetermined areasrespectively, with a lever section fastened to the prescored area andextending to the said vent area, with a lever section continuing fromthe first mentioned lever section and fastened to the vent area andextended laterally therefrom, and with a hinge coupling the two sectionsimmediate to the vent area, whereby the laterally extended section isadapted to be lifted for operating the opener to sequentially shear fromthe wall the vent area and then lift the first mentioned lever to shearfrom the wall the prescored area.

3. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) a can having an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined pouringand vent areas thereon, the pouring area being defined by a continuousprescored line;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising a sectional bodyextending over and fastened to each of said predetermined areasrespectively, with a lever section fastened to the prescored area andextending to the said vent area, with a lever section continu' ing fromthe first mentioned lever section and riveted to the vent area andextended laterally therefrom, and with a hinge to bear against the wallbetween the two predetermined areas, whereby the laterally extendedsection is adapted to be lifted for operating the opener to sequentiallyshear from the wall the rivet and then lift the first mentioned lever toshear from the wall the prescored area.

4. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) a can having an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined weakenedpouring and vent areas there- (b) and an opener overlying the wall andcomprising a sectional body extending over and fastened to each of saidpredetermined areas respectively, with a lever section fastened to thepouring area and extending to the said vent area, with a lever sectioncontinuing from the first mentioned lever section and fastened to thevent area and extended laterally therefrom, and with a limited movementhinge coupling said two sections, whereby the laterally extended sectionis first liftable to shear from the wall the vent area fastened theretoand is stopped relative to the first mentioned section to form anextension thereof and is then liftable to shear the pouring areafastened thereto.

5. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) a can having an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined pouringand vent areas thereon, the pouring area being defined by a continuousprescored line;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising a sectional bodyextending over and fastened to each of said predetermined areasrespectively, with a lever section fastened to and with a fulcrum endterminating within the prescored area and extending to the said ventarea, with a lever section continuing from the first mentioned leversection and riveted to the vent area and extended laterally therefrom,and with a hinge to bear against the wall between the two predeterminedareas, whereby the laterally extended section is adapted to be liftedfor operating the opener to sequentially shear from the wall the rivetfastened thereto and then lift the first mentioned lever to shear fromthe wall the prescored area fastened thereto.

6. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) a can having an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined pouringand vent areas thereon, the pouring area being defined by a continuousprescored line;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising a sectional bodyextending over and fastened to each of said predetermined areasrespectively, with a lever section fastened to and with a fulcrum endterminating against the prescored area and extending to the said ventarea with a lever section continuing from the first mentioned leversection and riveted to the vent area and extended laterally therefrom,and with a limited movement hinge to bear against the Wall between thetwo predetermined areas, whereby the laterally extended section is firstliftable to shear from the wall the rivet fastened thereto and isstopped relative to the first mentioned section to form an extentionthereof and is then liftable to shear the prescored area fastenedthereto.

7. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) a can having an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined pouringand vent areas thereon, the pouring area being defined by a continuousprescored line;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising a sectional bodyextending over and fastened to each of said predetermined areasrespectively, with a lever section fastened to the prescored area andextending to the said vent area, with a lever section continuing fromthe first mentioned lever section and riveted to the vent area andextended laterally therefrom, and with a limited movement hinge to bearagainst the wall between the two predetermined areas;

(c) the fastening of each lever section being alike and the rivet at thevent area being a tubular rivet extruded of material displaced from theunderside of the wall of the can and dimpling the underside of the wallsurrounding the rivet, whereby the laterally extended section is firstliftable to shear from the wall the rivet fastened thereto and isstopped relative to the first mentioned section to form an extentionthereof and is then liftable to shear the prescored area fastenedthereto.

8. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined pouring and vent areasthereon;

having a reinforcement to stiffen said levers respectively 1 and saidreinforcement being interrupted at the hinge line to permit relativemovement of the lever sections,

and the lever sections being adapted to be lifted for se' quentiallylifting the predetermined areas from the wall of the can.

9. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined pouring and vent areasthereon;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising an elongate body ofbendable material with two lever sections adjoined at a hinge line, withone of said lever sections fastened to each of said areas respectively,said body having a longitudinally disposed upstanding rib to stiffen thesame and said rib being interrupted at the hinge line to have opposedmovement limiting Walls, and one of the lever sections being adapted tobe initially lifted to remove one area from the can wall and to engagethe movement limiting walls and thereafter adapted to operate as anextension of and to lift the other lever to remove the other of saidareas from the wall.

10. A can and opener for establishing spaced pouring and vent openingstherein, and including:

(a) an imperforate wall with spaced predetermined pouring and vent areasthereon;

(b) and an opener overlying the wall and comprising an elongate body ofbendable material with two lever sections adjoined at a hinge line, withone of said lever sections fastened toeach of said areas respectively,said body having a pair of longitudinally disposed upstanding ribs tostiffen the same and said ribs being interrupted at the hinge line tohave opposed stop walls limiting the movement of one lever section tothe other, and one of the lever sections being adapted to be initiallylifted to remove one area from the can wall and to engage the movementlimiting walls and thereafter adapted to operate as an extension of andto lift the other lever to remove the other of said areas from the Wall.

11. A can top and opener for establishing spaced pouring and ventopenings therein, and including:

(a) an imperforate top for attachment to the remainder of a can withspaced predetermined weakened pouring and vent areas thereon;

(b) and an opener overlying the top and comprising a body of hingedlycoupled sections extending over and fastened to each of saidpredetermined areas respectively, with a lever section fastened to thepouring area and extending to the said vent area, and with a leversection continuing from the first-mentioned lever section and fastenedto the vent area and extending laterally therefrom and adapted to belifted for operating the opener to sequentially shear from the wall thevent area and then lift the firstmentioned lever to shear from the wallthe pouring area.

12. A can top and opener for establishing spaced pouring and ventopenings therein, and including:

(a) an imperforate top for attachment to the remainder of a can withspaced predetermined weakened pouring and vent area-g thereon;

(b) and an opener overlying the top and comprising a sectional bodyextending over annd fastened to each of said predetermined areasrespectively, with a lever section fastened to the pouring area andextending to the said vent area, with a lever section continuing fromthe first-mentioned lever section and fastened to the vent area andextending laterally therefrom, and with a limited-movement hingecoupling said two sections, whereby the laterally extended section isfirst liftable to shear from the top 1 1 the vent area fastened theretoand is stopped relative to the first-mentioned section to form anextension thereof and is then liftable to shear the pouring areafastened thereto.

13. A can top and opener for establishing spaced pouring and ventopenings therein, and including:

(a) an imperforate top for attachment to the remainder of a can withspaced predetermined pouring and vent areas thereon;

(b) and an opener overlying the top and comprising a body of bendablematerial with two lever sections adjoined at a hinge line, with one ofsuch lever sections fastened to each of said areas respectively, saidbody having a reinforcement to stiffen said levers respectively and saidreinforcement being interrupted at the hinge line to permit relativemovement of the lever sections, and the lever sections being adapted tobe lifted for sequentially lifting the predetermined areas from the cantop.

14. A can top and opener for establishing spaced pouring and ventopenings therein, and including:

(a) an imperforate top for attachment to the remainder of a can withspaced predetermined pouring and vent areas thereon;

(b) and an opener overlying the top and comprising an elongated body ofbendable material with two lever sections adjoined at a hinge line, withone of said lever sections fastened to each of said lever sectionsrespectively, said body having a longitudinally disposed upstanding ribto stiffen the same and said rib being interruped at the hinge line tohave opposed movement-limiting walls, and one of the lever sectionsbeing adapted to be initially lifted to remove -one area from the cantop and to engage the movement-limiting walls and thereafter adapted tooperate as an extension of to lift the other lever to remove the otherof said areas from the can top.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,029,329 2/1936Ljungstrom et a1. 22048 2,034,007 3/ 1936 Smith 22053 2,105,445 1/ 1938Sebell 22027 2,294,292 8/1942 Gerhard 22054 2,746,142 5/1956 Maxwell29552 2,753,624 7/1956 Taylor 29552 2,978,140 4/1961 Walsh 220523,151,766 10/1964 Henchert 22054 3,153,492 10/1964 Clair 22054 LOUIS G.MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDON, Examiner.

1. A CAN AND OPENER FOR ESTABLISHING SPACED POURING AND VENT OPENINGSTHEREIN, AND INCLUDING: (A) A CAN HAVING AN IMPERFORATE WALL WITH SPACEDPREDETERMINED WEAKENED POURING AND VENT AREAS THEREON; (B) AND AN OPENEROVERLYING THE WALL AND COMPRISING A BODY OF HINGEDLY COUPLED SECTIONSEXTENDING OVER AND FASTENED TO EACH OF SAID PREDETERMINED AREASRESPECTIVELY, WITH A LEVER SECTION FASTENED TO THE PORING AREA ANDEXTENDING TO THE SAID VENT AREA, AND WITH A LEVER SECTION CONTINUINGFROM THE FIRST MENTIONED LEVER SECTION AND FASTENED TO THE VENT AREA ANDEXTENDED LATERALLY THEREFROM AND ADAPTED TO BE LIFTED FOR OPERATING THEOPENER TO SEQUENTIALLY SHEAR FROM THE WALL THE VENT AREA AND THEN LIFTTHE FIRST MENTIONED LEVER TO SHEAR FROM THE WALL THE POURING AREA.